Upon Entry

64th TIFF: Greek Premiere

Diego and Elena move to the United States on their approved visas to start a new life. However, upon their arrival at Newark Airport, the couple unexpectedly gets detained and subjected to a psychologically exhausting interrogation by border agents determined to uncover any secrets they might be hiding. A gripping dramatic thriller that unfolds in real-time and keeps you on the edge of your seat solely with the rapid-fire pace of the questions posed by the agents as they interrogate the couple. With its fantastic use of editing, impeccable performances, and relentless tension and suspense from start to finish, Upon Entry excels not only as a sharp commentary on U.S. immigration policy but also as a broader critique of authoritarian power dynamics.

Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.

Available at the Agora Market TIFF64.

Direction: Alejandro Rojas, Juan Sebastián Vasquez

Script: Alejandro Rojas, Juan Sebastián Vasquez

Cinematography: Juan Sebastián Vásquez

Editing: Emanuele Tiziani

Sound: Jordi Cirbian, Xavi Saucedo

Actors: Alberto Ammann, Bruna Cusi, Ben Temple, Laura Gómez

Production: Zabriskie Films, Basque Films, Sygnatia

Producers: Carles Torras, Carlos Juárez, Xosé Zapata, Sergio Adrià, Alba Sotorra

Production Design: Zelso de García

Executive producer: Raquel Perea, Iris Martín-Peralta

Make Up: Lola Cañas, Susi Rodríguez

Format: DCP

Color: Color

Production Country: Spain

Production Year: 2023

Duration: 74'

Contact: Charades

Awards/Distinctions: Silver Biznaga Best Actor – Málaga Spanish FF 2023, Prix Police – Reims Polar Festival du Film Policier 2023, SIGNIS Award – BAFICI 2023, Critics’ Prize “Mustapha Mesnaoui” – Tetouan International Mediterranean FF 2023, Golden Trailer Award – Golden Trailer Awards 2023, FIPRESCI Prize – Tallinn Black Nights FF 2023, Golden Royal Bengal Tiger – Kolkata IFF 2023

Alejandro Rojas

Alejandro Rojas (Caracas, 1976) has directed, written, and edited documentaries about cinema for television (Wise Words, Actor/Director: About Expectations) as well as numerous trailers, promos, and campaigns. As a film journalist, he has covered numerous international film festivals including Cannes, Venice, Toronto, Sundance, and Berlin, interviewing both acclaimed and emerging artists. He has worked for HBO Latin America Group, 100 Bares Producciones (Argentina), Telenet (Belgium), The Special Treats Productions (United Kingdom) and Netflix (United States).

Filmography

2006 Inside (short)
2022 Upon Entry

Juan Sebastián Vasquez

Juan Sebastián Vásquez (Caracas, 1981) initiated his career as a copy producer for HBO Latin America Group. Since then, he has worked in the field of cinematography. He has participated in productions including: Terrados (2011), winner of the People’s Choice Award at the Valladolid Film Festival; Ahora No Puedo (2011), Best Short Film at the Gaudí Awards; and Open 24h (2011), Official Selection at the Malaga Film Festival. As a director of photography, he has participated in feature films including: Callback (2017), Best Feature Film, Best Screenplay and Best Actor at the 2016 Malaga Film Festival; The Paramedic (2020), a Netflix original film. He was a jury member of the Sitges Film Festival